COUNCIL buildings bosses are unable to answer questions on rising costs after an ambitious £2m revamp of an historic building in Port Glasgow ran into trouble.

The Telegraph recently reported how work on a transformation of the King George VI building in King Street would be extended, with more money being needed to finish it.

Contractors have encountered problems at the site, with the building dating back to the 1700s.

The contract for work on the B-listed structure has been extended until May 2024, with planners advising that it is 'anticipated that additional funding will be required due to the prolongation of the contract programme'. 

A council committee meeting has now been given a briefing on the delays.

But while a senior official said lessons had been learned, there was no detail on what the final bill for the cash-strapped local authority could be.

Eddie Montgomery, Inverclyde Council's head of physical assets, told elected members the builders working on the project 'came up against issues that they didn't anticipate'. 

He added: "We're bound by contract conditions and projects don't always go according to plan. 

"It's not unusual to bring an update like this to committee from time to time. 

"This is not a normal project, it's going to be a low carbon, high tech building, and it's beyond anything we've considered before. 

"It was supposed to finish at start of next year but there will be a significant prolongation due to some issues that were thrown up during the works.

"It's been a lessons learned project and will definitely inform future projects."

The rejuvenation of the historic building was given the green light by Inverclyde Council last year. 

The local authority is said to have channelled around £1m into making the building wind and watertight, before attracting £1.2m through the Scottish Government Regeneration Capital Grant Fund (RCGF).

During the committee meeting Councillor Robert Moran demanded more information on the rising costs of the project. 

He said: "We've been told that additional funding will be required. 

"When will a report come out, and when will there be an indication of how much more money will be required?"

Cllr Tommy McVey echoed Mr Moran's concerns.

He added: "Phase one was all about getting the building wind and watertight and that was all money from the council before the RCGF money was used. 

"How much can we keep putting into it? Is the council going to have to put more money in?"

Senior official Mr Montgomery said he couldn't say exactly how much extra cash would have to be spent.

But he told the councillors he hoped the contract wouldn't go beyond May 2024.

Cllr Moran added: "I fully understand the position, and now have reassurance that we're getting there."